Elmore field days go green

Bendigo Advertiser
Saturday 14/6/2008 Page: 8

HOW alternative energy can be applied in farming will be a feature of this year's Elmore Field Days. The organising committee wants to showcase alternative energy solutions, suppliers and organisations under the theme Capitalising on a Climate of Change, and is calling on appropriate stall holders to register soon. The field days will run from October 7-9 and exhibits will feature all types of alternative energy - from biodiesel to solar - and all the technology that makes for practical solutions at the individual enterprise level.

In conjunction with La Trobe University Bendigo, the field days will specifically help farmers understand their energy consumption. Farmers will be able to calculate carbon emissions and review opportunities to create carbon trading opportunities and accrue carbon credits. Field days president Darren Trewick said there was a great lack of understanding among farmers and farm managers about carbon generation and emissions.

"Most farmers indicated they have little or no understanding of carbon trading," Mr Trewick said. "They did not know how they might benefit by supplying carbon credits, such as tree-planting or similar forestry initiatives, to assist industries that are substantial carbon generators. "The carbon issue will be an ongoing theme in agriculture, particularly over the next couple of years as the issue grows in significance.

"We expect to have survey groups working on the field days site to help farmers calculate their energy consumption, their carbon emissions footprint and how they may reduce their expenses and benefit from any credits in carbon trading.

"It is also a project that conforms with our objective of establishing the Elmore Field Days and the Elmore Events Centre site as a carbon-friendly event, which will make it unique." The Elmore Field Days committee welcomes interest from potential exhibitors of alternative energy solutions and suppliers, and community groups interested in the carbon aspects of agriculture.